Child and Youth Advocates

Child and Youth Advocates (CYA) brings together students interested in a wide variety
of children's issues, including child welfare, juvenile justice, and education. We aim
to heighten awareness and encourage discussion of these issues at HLS, facilitate student
involvement with children and youth in Cambridge and Boston, and advocate for children's
rights in various contexts.

CYA organizes and coordinates volunteer activities with several children's organizations
in the Boston area. Volunteers may help with one-time events or get involved on an
ongoing basis. Through the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, students
advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile
court proceedings. Serving as an educational advocate, tutoring a child in Cambridge
public schools, or participating in conferences, panels or brown-bag lunch discussions
with faculty are other ways in which students can become involved. CYA also works closely
with HLS's new Child Advocacy Program, which provides even more opportunities for
students to engage in children's issues. In addition, students may find support to start
their own projects.

We invite everyone who wants to give a voice to our youngest citizens to join CYA.